The Best Wine Lists in Philly

[Rich Pawlak]

I'm looking for the best wine lists in the city.

I've put together a small list of usual suspects:

Panorama

La Famiglia

Le Bec Fin

Prime Rib

But surely I'm missing some. This board is extremely wine savvy, so gimme your two cents. Where else can I go for a great meal and a great wine list? Any decent wine lists/cellars in South Jersey or Bucks County?

[philadining]

Lacroix has a large, and interesting, wine list. And out in Chester County, The Dilworthtown Inn is pretty impressive in that old, expensive kind of way....

[KatieLoeb]

*ahem* You're really going to make me say it aren't you...

The wine list at Amada is pretty decent if I do say so myself. 40-odd bottles all available by the glass - approximately 75% Spanish 15% South American and 10% everyplace else.

Capital Grill has an impressive wine list, in that testosterone laden steakhouse big paint-stripping red heavy sort of way.

The Four Seasons has a great wine list, although I don't know who is stewarding it along now that James Colabelli has left their employ. It's obscenely overpriced, but quite impressive.

The new and fabulous 19 at the Park Hyatt Bellevue undoubtedly has a decent cellar. They had some nice by the glass choices when I stopped in there for drinks and there was definitely a temperature controlled looking room with lots 'o bottles in it for everyone to see.

Other contenders include Jake's in Manayunk, Monte Carlo Living Room, Davio's, Meritage, Susanna Foo, Penne, Striped Bass, Barclay Prime (obscene again, but deep).

Elsewhere:

I've been reading and hearing very good things about Domaine Hudson in Wilmington. I'd be delighted to check the place out with you - especially on someone else's dime.

Many of the higher end casino restaurants in Frantic City have impressive lists.

Martini Beach in Cape May has a smaller but carefully selected wine list that will be heavy on the selections in the $40-75 range. That should be in place by Memorial Day.

[herbacidal]

The Four Seasons has a great wine list, although I don't know who is stewarding it along now that James Colabelli has left their employ.  It's obscenely overpriced, but quite impressive.

I believe they have a new person in there, don't they? It was in Table Talk or something.

[KatieLoeb]

The Four Seasons has a great wine list, although I don't know who is stewarding it along now that James Colabelli has left their employ.  It's obscenely overpriced, but quite impressive.

I believe they have a new person in there, don't they? It was in Table Talk or something.

←

According to Michael Klein they hired some French fellow (big surprise there) from out of town. He was in D.C. most recently. Thierry Lesparre. I suppose I will be introduced to him at some future tasting event.

[Capaneus]

I haven't been in in some time, but in the past I found the list at La buca to be an underappreciated treasure: Barolos and Amarones with a fair deal of age on them for little more than you'd pay for current releases, carefully selected selections from Tuscany and the Piedmonte, fairly priced...

I also like the list at Fork. Interesting and budget-minded, so in a different league from the big hitters above, but I don't need to refinance anything or sell an organ to partake.

[TarteTatin]

We like the list at Fork as well. Roberto Sella, the wine guy and part owner, has a place in Tuscany. It's near Pienza, Montalcino...He brings back some very interesting Italian wines, from small producers that he's met there.

Fork is also interested in French wines, and used to have really cool wine tasting dinners. Lots of Rhones, which we love. And, the list changes periodically; that's good. To me that means they are constantly looking for new and interesting wines to serve.

As far as good value lists, both Standard Tap (most wines $24) and N. 3rd ($19.95 for everything on list)....No, they're not incredible wines. But you can't beat that price when you're out for a basic, weekday meal.

Can't remember, but doesn't Bistro St. Tropez have a decent list?

[Bobby 2 Shakes]

A long, long time ago I remember not being able to read about wine in Philadelphia without seeing the cellar at La Terrasse mentioned.

Back when we ate Rachel's Brownies and Hillary's Ice Cream.

Edited May 8, 2006 by bob tenaglio (log)

[KatieLoeb]

We like the list at Fork as well. Roberto Sella, the wine guy and part owner, has a place in Tuscany. It's near Pienza, Montalcino...He brings back some very interesting Italian wines, from small producers that he's met there.

I sincerely hope he's not "bringing them back" and selling them at Fork because that would be a gross violation of their liquor license. I presume you mean he's dealing with the importer of said wines and buying them through the PLCB.

It sucks, but it's the same thing stopping me from driving a truck over the bridge and paying a lot less per bottle. Not to mention a different selection...

[TarteTatin]

No, I didn't mean it literally, Katie!

I'm sure they do things the right way.